React SPAs: The Future of Interactive Web Applications
Daria Lymanska
CEO & Founder
April 15, 2024
2
min read
Single-page applications (SPAs) have earned a strong position in demand long ago. Such apps have one page where most information remains unchanged, and only its parts are updated when a user interacts with them.
Maybe, you don’t know precisely what they are. However, you probably use them daily. Most social media, Gmail, and other programs are single-page apps. They are quickly adopted thanks to their fast load times and user-friendliness.
As for React, it is quite a favored instrument for SPA web development. Programmers can build SPA’s components with React to ensure their scalability, reuse them with few configurations, and refresh them instantly without manually reloading a page. Besides, React solutions are optimized for SEO while delivering high flexibility thanks to the Virtual DOM.
What Are React Single Page Applications (SPAs)?
SPAs consist of one HTML page. To access it, you make a one-time connection and then – load and modify data without refreshing an entire page. Only the blocks engaged in the interaction process are updated while other page elements remain unaffected.
A clear illustration of a one-page application is Google Docs. While reading a text, you scroll through sheets, but the top row with the menu and the left panel with captions stay put. Whatever changes you make, certain things stay untouched.
React is very common for SPAs because of its convenience — it speeds up the programming process significantly. Also, note that it is not a framework, it’s a library. The main thing in it is the components as they represent particular items on a page. Each one of them contains the entire set of data and methods needed for work.
React allows you to save the state of the elements. This makes them isolated and self-contained. This feature, in turn, provides developers with the ability to reuse the elements as needed. Specifically, the same element can be applied to another page or parts of the website as many times as you want. This way, a developer doesn't need to re-write a significant part of the code. Therefore, the absence of complex dependencies between elements simplifies troubleshooting.
Pros of React SPAs
Why do giant companies like Meta choose React SPAs? It becomes clear after looking at its main advantages:
Versatility. SPAs can be used from any device that has access to the Internet.
Accessibility. There are no problems with сompatibility, as well as memory limitations, capacity, or installation time.
Enhanced usability. These apps are straightforward and enjoyable to operate.
Better responsiveness. It can be ensured thanks to the high speed of data load.
Ability to process large volumes of data. The device's memory does not limit the processing power of an app and the volumes of data it operates.
Code reuse. React allows developers to reuse parts of code as often as needed in the same app.
Let's look closely at the main merits of React SPA development.
Enhanced User Experience (UX)
The primary advantage of a single web page application is immediate data update, resulting in a smooth sensation from using and improved responsiveness. Since SPA doesn't have to implement full-page reloads during use, the contents of a page refresh very quickly. The program only needs to connect to the server at the start, and then simply loads the necessary segments as a visitor needs them. In a single-page app, everything works quickly after the first load and doesn’t keep users waiting.
Improved Developer Efficiency
Programmers who use React receive a lot of tools that simplify the assembling of the single-page application architecture. Moreover, React allows reusing code in software architecture to speed up the work. For instance, if you decide later to evolve a one-page app into a full-featured multi-page application, you’ll be able to reuse about 30% of the code instead of writing everything from scratch. Plus, it will help your startup save time and reduce costs.
Rich Interactivity
React is a freely accessible framework library that has a JSX (JavaScript XML) compiler with a focus on the users’ comfort as it provides prompt rendering. Thus, by utilizing React, you can create a UI-centric product which is common to SPAs that should have fluid interfaces, rapidly responding to the actions of users.
Cons of React SPAs
Surely, React SPA development has its drawbacks. Otherwise, every app would be written using this framework.
The most important cons of these apps are:
Lack of SEO optimization. The whole point is in the structure of such applications, which consist of just one page.
Longer initial loading time. Since all user-side data of the application must be loaded during initialization, this can cause unpleasant delays for users.
The client-side routing challenges. React may not be the best choice for creating applications with complex business logic and data routing.
So, let’s check each of them in more detail.
SEO Challenges
Single-page applications are quite problematic to index because not much text can be recognized by search robots. At the same time, you can’t put all the keywords on one page because it will look weird and lead to spam problems. What's more, the page will have only one URL.
You can eliminate this issue by resorting to server-side rendering. It's a way to render a one-page application on the server side. The app is still one-paged, but the main work is done on the server. The application receives a finished page with the required SEO elements from the server immediately after its initialization. However, due to the complex introduction of this technique, the cost of SPA development might be higher.
Complexity for Large Applications
Managing complex states and data traffic can be a problem in large SPAs. That’s why using React SPAs relates mostly to projects with rather limited functionality. At the same time, if applied skillfully, this library can still be useful when creating large projects – evidence of this is the digital giants that actively use it in the development of their services and applications.
Initial Load Time
With React’s ability to load all content during initialization, people can wait a lot when opening a SPA first (in comparison to other websites). However, after initial loading, all other data will be pulled up automatically, and there will be no issues with delays in provisioning page content.
Code splitting solves the problem of slow app loading by reducing the volume of data sent on the first session. Rather than uploading the entire code at once, users do it only with the parts that they need right now. This, in turn, facilitates the coding procedure.
React SPAs vs Traditional Multi-Page Applications (MPAs)
These kinds of apps are paralleled and characterized as competitors. However, multi-page applications (MPAs) are unlikely to lose the race because each alternative works for certain products and commercial pursuits.
Let's look at the core strengths of each application type:
As you can see, each application type has its drawbacks and advantages. So, when choosing between them, come from the specifics and tasks of your company.
What kind of companies should pay attention to one-page solutions?
Products that run on a captivating platform with low data volumes. SPA is commonly applied to SaaS platforms, social media, and private communities. Some examples include Grammarly, Netflix, and Slack.
Startups focused on usability. Single-page apps allow you to create an easy-to-use and intuitive interface that attracts the eye and encourages customers to explore the product.
Startups planning to go big. Later you can reuse some of the code of your single web page application. This helps reduce the time and expense involved in developing new, full-fledged digital solutions.
Businesses for whom SEO is not a key metric. If your company doesn't require to be ranked high on Google from its first launch, to successfully implement your idea, SPA is right for you.
Companies with their own APIs. You can build a one-page application based on a pre-built API.
Conclusion
Today, we see that one-page applications gradually replace classic applications and begin to play an important role in the construction of large-scale web systems. Now, these apps are everywhere, and we use them every day without noticing it. Moreover, the big players in the app market already use SPAs.
What are the rewards of single-page applications? They are pretty speedy, don't keep visitors on hold, and generally improve their experience when dealing with the solution. in turn, overall consumer comfort has a direct impact on conversion rates and profits.
Still, SPAs are not ideal for all startups. But for those seeking a dynamic, high-speed, and lightweight digital solution, SPAs are an excellent choice.
A Single Page Application (SPA) is a web app that loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates content as the user interacts, without refreshing the entire page.
Why is React popular for building SPAs?
React is preferred for SPAs because of its reusable components, Virtual DOM for faster updates, and flexibility, making it easier for developers to build and maintain scalable applications.
What are some popular examples of SPAs?
Applications like Gmail, Facebook, and Google Docs are all SPAs, where only parts of the page change while the rest remains static.
Why are React SPAs a good choice for startups?
React SPAs are great for startups due to their fast development process, cost efficiency, and the ability to scale and evolve the app as needed.
The healthcare industry is an area that strongly needs innovations at all times. Diseases constantly evolve, and the care methods should go one step ahead. Infrastructure in healthcare and streamlined communication are not the last points in fostering positive swifts in this industry. These two elements, in conjunction, create favorable conditions for bringing innovations or merely positive changes. The more automation and advancements are introduced, the more effort can be devoted to curing and preventing diseases. That is why the Medical Internet of Things is so emphasized nowadays. Its role is impossible to overestimate, indeed.
Essence and Aim of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
IoMT stands for a tech advancement that envisages the mutual coordination of various elements inside the health system, such as medtools, apps, and other arrays that facilitate steady and ongoing data circulation. The pillar objective of the IoMT is to foster and ease the non-stop collection, handling, transmitting, and sharing of the medinfo among the interested subjects. Most typically the latter ones are state authorities, hospitals, and other members of the healthcare industry.
Among the main deliverables that IoMT ensures are multiple options to track and manage the state of patients on a real-time basis. It also makes possible timely cure and disease prevention. Variable IoMT devices are already utilized for these purposes – health monitors, intelligent implants, remote diagnostic tools, and patient tracking systems, to mention a few.
How IoMT Works at a Glance
This tech approach is aimed at connecting multiple physical devices, including sensors and implants, through the Internet networks, most typically Wi-Fi. This endeavor is accomplished in order to grasp and transfer the most up-to-date info regarding the patient’s state.
IoMT also makes it feasible to collect a large scope of data and ascertain the outcomes of treatment as well as the tendencies of disease evolution. At a glance, the said technology is about multiple devices, software, informational systems, algorithms, and storage facilities. All of these elements are related to each other instantaneously and deliver error-free info about the things that fall under the survey.
Based on that info, medical personnel and other interested subjects highlight measures that have to be taken for the effectual care of the patients. IoMT is also in charge of elaborating on the list of actions that are needed to be accomplished to prevent similar cases from appearing in the future. Any information obtained during such an operation is extremely valuable and derives numerous benefits.
Benefits of IoMT
This tech advancement is definitely under the stage of its next development and upgrade. Therefore, the number of benefits may be higher in the short-term perspective. As of now, it is proven that IoMT guarantees these positive swifts across the industry:
Bolstered efficacy of performance within a healthcare institution – the work of the medical personnel becomes more effective and coherent enabling quick decision-making which is especially crucial in emergency cases.
Better and easier identification, including across multiple institutions – people don't need to input the same data many times. Once they have done that, it is transmitted through the internal channels of communication between the medinstitutions.
Enhanced surveyance – IoMT software ensures timely and correct treatment as well as further post-medical support. The info is collected and processed steadily allowing the interested parties to make relevant conclusions regarding the efficacy of the chosen methods.
Tackling diseases – collecting the info regarding the reasons why patients suffer from certain diseases enables scientists to elaborate on findings that are very precious for disease prevention. Most typically this is made by eliminating the conditions for such diseases to occur.
IoMT issues and challenges
On balance, the adoption of the considered tech advancement is associated with specific threats and risks:
Coherent interaction of various medsystems – frequently, such medsystems have multiple peculiarities of operation since different independent producers develop them. Making all the integrated systems not only joint but also coherent may be quite challenging sometimes.
Effective information management – this covers clinical data monitoring, storage, and processing. The outputs have to be accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
Secure data handling – since the info processed is very sensitive in nature, it requires more advanced measures to be implemented. Fairly saying, this type of data is very nourishing for cybercriminals. Still, encryption and specialized IoMT security software can substantially decrease, even eliminate at all, the risk of data leaks. The goal of ensuring robust data protection is required not from the ethical perspective solely – this is also a compulsory rule among the norms applicable within the industry.
Alignment with the regulatory standards – the applicable legal rules are quite strict, taking into account the essence of services. To this end, a failure to comply with such often leads to severe fines and other sanctions, up to the liquidation of a medical institution. In addition, the applicable regulatory framework is frequently updated, resulting in the need to take other measures allowing to remain compliant.
What Prospects Does the IoMT Have?
IoMT in healthcare definitely opens wider perspectives, among others, thanks to the following tech advancements:
AI&ML implementation – these two elements are equally good at bolstering analytics and personal care approaches. This can be achieved through automation in decision-making. Most common cases will not require excessive time to ensure correct treatment – these technological advancements, like AI platform for clinical diagnostics, will handle them quickly, efficiently, and at lower costs.
Bolstering the quality of wearables and implants – upgraded serviceability and preciseness will deliver more faultless data regarding the patient’s state, particularly one’s life parameters. The advancement will also enable quick and more productive feedback in response to possible changes, especially adverse ones.
Automated internal arrangements – monitoring the inventory and machines plays a pivotal role in ensuring the straightforward operation of any medinstitution. The less time medical personnel devote to routine assignments, the more time caregivers have for their visitors. Even more, optimized internal flows reduce associated costs drastically as well. The quality of medservices is not sacrificed but boosted under such terms.
Utilizing big data benefits – IoMT ensures the effective and timely handling of large volumes of medical information for multiple purposes: tendencies, patterns, typical treatment outcomes, opportunities for innovations, etc.
Quality and upgraded involvement methods – future IoMT will facilitate far more effectual involvement of patients and their awareness of the medcare applied. Informing, consent giving, and providing the updates will be made automatically and faultlessly, preventing any unreasonable delays or discrepancies.
Effectual dealing across the healthcare sector and the remainder of the sectors concerned – IoMT architecture opens another room for diverse independent service providers, financial institutions, and state authorities to interact and exchange data with each other swiftly and straightforwardly. As a consequence, the interested subjects can drastically bolster their performance and the speed of decision-making.
Conclusion
The Internet of Things medical application is a powerful tool on the way to ensuring top-rated services within the industry and effective disease prevention in the future. It already offers multiple benefits, such as on-time and effective performance, multifunctional diagnostics, disease treatment and prevention, cost-effective operation, and, finally, more accurate forecasts. This tech advancement will undoubtedly bring even more opportunities in the short term since it is evolving steadily.
So, it was definitely a wise decision to incorporate such tech upgrades in a business yesterday. Now, they have already become compulsory things to have in possession. Our company is a reliable service provider experienced in custom medical software development. We will facilitate you to take the next step ahead by rendering top-notch services swiftly and at a reasonable cost. Enjoy the condensed expertise gained through the years.
According to a recent Deloitte study, 76% of American companies outsource their IT functions. What drives this trend? Does outsourcing truly win the in-house vs outsourcing development battle? In this article, we will explore both strategies, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and help you choose the approach that best suits your project.
What Is In-House and Outsourcing Software Development?
In-house development refers to the process in which a company independently creates its digital products. In this case, only the internal team is involved in development, without hiring external specialists.
Do you think this approach is ideal because all IT functions will be handled by a reliable development team that you assemble yourself? In some ways, you’re right. However, it also comes with significant responsibility and high costs. After all, you will need to hire and manage developers, designers, product and project managers, and other personnel. But we will discuss the pros and cons of this strategy in more detail later.
Outsourcing software development implies hiring an external team or individual remote specialists to work on a software solution. Depending on the budget size, required technology stack, and other project specifics, you can choose between nearshoring, offshoring, and onshoring. What do these terms mean?
Offshoring refers to delegating processes to a distant country, often on another continent. This is considered the most cost-effective outsourcing option, as service rates vary significantly across countries. However, such price differences do not always affect the quality of the final product.
Take a look at these impressive figures: In Switzerland, developers earn around $100,000 per year, whereas in Norway, Australia, and several other countries, this amount is nearly half as much. Does this mean that specialists in those regions are less qualified? Hardly.
Nearshoring—outsourcing to a neighboring country. Preferably one that borders yours or is at least located on the same continent. The goal is usually the same—to save on IT services.
Onshoring—hiring external specialists from your own country. What is the point? It’s simple. Even within the same state, the cost of creating an identical digital solution can vary significantly.
As an example, take a look at the salary range in major USA cities (data provided by Indeed):
Columbus, OH – $142,605 per year
Bellevue, WA – $137,206 per year
San Jose, CA – $120,751 per year
San Diego, CA – $118,932 per year
Houston, TX – $98,751 per year
So, we have figured out the definitions of in-house and outsourced software development and also discussed the types of the latter. What are the key differences between these strategies?
In-House vs Outsourcing: Key Differences
In-house vs outsourcing development is a choice that many teams face. The fact is that there are several fundamental differences between these approaches. They should be taken into account when organizing the development process in a company.
This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches to software development. However, to make these differences even clearer, let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of outsourcing and in-house development.
Outsourcing Software Development: Pros and Cons
Let’s start by looking at outsourcing software development – the pros and cons of this approach allow the global outsourcing market to grow at an impressive rate. This suggests that the cons of this approach are not so significant, right?
If in 2024 it was valued at $611.8 billion, it is projected to grow to $1,345.5 billion in the next 10 years.
Outsourced Development Pros
Teams that opt for outsourcing digital solution development can expect the following benefits:
1. Cost Savings. We’ve already mentioned that companies can save by outsourcing to regions with cheaper labor.
However, that’s not all. Toptal has created a calculator to estimate the actual costs of hiring in-house developers and remote specialists. According to the calculations, even with the same hourly rate, outsourcing will cost the company 1.5 times less:
This is explained by additional expenses for office rent, employee training, providing necessary infrastructure, and so on.
2. Access to the global talent pool. Finding a developer with the necessary skills can be challenging, especially in regions where the number of specialists is not very large.
Take a look at how the number of IT specialists differs in various countries:
Access to the global talent pool allows you to use the latest technologies that may not be widely available in your region.
3. Flexibility and scalability. According to Indeed, the hiring process can take anywhere from a week to a month or more! Therefore, if you anticipate the need to expand or reduce your team, it is wiser to consider outsourcing.
It also makes more sense to consider a remotecandidate for short-term projects if there is no further collaboration planned after the project ends.
4. Accelerating Time to Market. Outsourcing allows you to reduce the time spent on recruiting and hiring specialists. Additionally, there is no need for training and onboarding the development team, which, as you’d agree, is also a lengthy process.
Moreover, you can engage several teams to work on the project. They will work on different aspects of the application simultaneously, bringing its release closer. An additional benefit is the ability to work around the clock due to time zone differences.
5. Optimization of company operations. Outsourcing IT functions will allow you to focus on other activities, such as marketing, customer service, implementing financial strategies, and more.
Furthermore, outsourcing makes sense even if you have an in-house development team. Engaging external specialists will reduce the load on your team and allow you to implement innovative technologies that your developers may not be proficient in.
Outsourced Development Cons
Along with the benefits for a company, turning to IT outsourcing can lead to certain challenges:
1. Communication problems. This issue is especially relevant with offshoring, when specialists are located in different time zones. Just imagine: you need to urgently address an issue, but it's outside your team's working hours. This can seriously affect the efficiency of development.
Another possible barrier to productive collaboration is different languages and cultural differences. Wouldn't it be difficult to understand your counterpart if their vocabulary is unfamiliar to you, or if they adhere to values and traditions that differ from yours?
2. Quality control challenges. When an in-house team is working on a software product, they are clearly aware of the standards they need to follow. This enables them to create solutions that meet the needs of the audience and business expectations.
In the case of outsourced development, there is a risk of discrepancies in quality standards between internal and external teams, especially when communication gaps exist.
The result is an unsatisfactory final product, which may lead to another outsourcing drawback—as we'll discuss next.
3. Hidden costs. If the final product quality is lacking, you’ll have to hire other specialists to fix defects. However, this problem can be avoided by working only with trusted providers.
Still, there is the risk of additional costs for managing remote specialists and the possibility of project expansion due to control issues.
4. Data and intellectual property (IP) security. Collaborating with third parties on development involves sharing confidential information about your business and clients.
Again, only work with reliable partners to ensure they won’t misuse your data or share it with unauthorized individuals.
We’ve discussed the pros and cons of outsourcing software development. How does the situation look with the advantages and disadvantages of creating an in-house team?
In-House Development: Pros and Cons
Despite the growing popularity of outsourcing, many companies still prefer to develop software in-house. This approach also has its own pros and cons.
In-house Development Pros
Developing software internally offers the following advantages:
1. Full control over the development process. The decision to hire an in-house team is a step towards complete control over the development process.
You can select the optimal tech stack, implement methodologies that you deem suitable, and track every stage of the SDLC and its duration.
2. Intellectual property security. According to ABI Research, U.S. companies lose between $180 billion and $540 billion annually due to intellectual property theft.
In-house development minimizes the likelihood of this issue, as the company will be the sole owner, and there is no need to share data with third parties.
3. Improved communication on the project. Teams working in a shared workspace experience fewer communication challenges. They are not hindered by cultural and language differences or time zone discrepancies.
This, in turn, helps avoid several problems. According to recent statistics, poor communication methods can lead to a number of losses for a company. Among these, 68% of work time is wasted, 42% of employees face stress and burnout, and 12% of customers leave for competitors:
4. Team engagement and a deep understanding of business nuances. An internal development team is likely to be better informed about the company's values, culture, and target audience. This enables them to create a tailored solution that aligns with the client’s vision.
Additionally, in-house developers are more invested in the success of the project, as they are part of the business.
In-house Development Cons
If you are an advocate of in-house development, be prepared for some challenges along with the benefits. Here are a few of them:
1. High costs. With outsourcing, the company only spends money on the developer’s rate. The situation is completely different with an in-house team.
We present a list of expenses to consider:
hiring costs;
total salary of the team;
provision of necessary infrastructure;
training fees for technologies;
bonuses and benefits;
software license purchases;
overhead costs.
Overall, the difference between in-house vs outsourcing development can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. And as you can see, it is not in favor of the in-house team.
2. Limited resources. In-house specialists may have limited experience and knowledge in specific areas needed for the project. There are two solutions to this issue: employee training, which again incurs additional costs and time, or opting for familiar technologies that are unlikely to yield the desired results.
Moreover, the lack of resources may become noticeable when scaling the project significantly. Hiring an in-house specialist is a lengthy and complicated process.
3. Hiring issues and employee turnover. According to Statista's analytics, in 2023, 54% of organizations experienced a shortage of tech talent. And this is not the peak — two years ago, this figure was at a record-high 70%.
However, even if you manage to hire the best talents, don’t rush to celebrate your victory. You still need to retain them. And here’s where the real challenge begins. To attract a developer to work specifically for your company, you will need to offer a high salary (higher than your competitors), social benefits, bonuses, etc. In other words, you will be committing yourself to unforeseen expenses. Whether this is justified is up to you to decide.
So, we’ve thoroughly discussed the advantages and disadvantages of in-house development and outsourcing. Now, it’s time to determine which strategy is best suited for you.
In-House vs Outsourcing: How to Make the Right Choice?
Long-term projects. If a project requires constant development, support, and close collaboration, it makes sense to build an internal team. This is especially relevant for complex systems that are continuously evolving and require in-depth knowledge of their architecture.
Projects involving confidential data. If you are dealing with confidential data, in-house development can guarantee its complete security. This is facilitated by better control over work processes and the absence of the need to share data with third parties.
However, as an alternative, you can turn to a reliable outsourcing provider who guarantees the security of confidential data on par with an in-house team.
Projects that are critical for the business. These are projects that involve creating products that must fully reflect the vision, culture, and strategy of the company. If you are not sure that you can achieve this with external developers, it is better to opt for an in-house team.
For outsourced development:
Projects with a limited budget. Outsourcing allows savings on developer salaries and related expenses.
Short-term projects. If the team is only required to create a product without further updates and support, hiring in-house specialists is not advisable.
Projects where quick time-to-market is a priority. Time savings on hiring and adaptation, the ability for round-the-clock work, and involving multiple teams contribute to faster releases.
Projects with changing resource needs. Here, the ability of remote teams to scale quickly is key.
Innovative projects. Access to a global talent pool enables the use of cutting-edge technologies that may not be well-developed in your region.
Thus, if you are looking to save costs, use an innovative tech stack, and outpace competitors, outsourced development will be the best choice for your company.
Darly Solutions—Your Reliable Partner in Outsourced Software Development
The Darly Solutions team is ready to be your guide in the world of creating high-quality digital solutions. We provide comprehensive services, including web and mobile development, UI/UX design, MVP development, QA and testing, and much more.
By outsourcing your project to us, you can be confident in our full immersion in your product vision, data and intellectual property security, and guaranteed adherence to project deadlines.
Contact a Darly Solutions manager, calculate the estimated costs, and start your journey to digitalization today!
With the global aging population and the rise of chronic diseases, the remote patient monitoring market is booming as ever. From 2023 to 2024, it grew from $30.97B to $36.31B. And it won't stop here. Insider Intelligence predicts 70.6M US patients will use software for remote patient monitoring by 2025.
We can't overstate the importance of remote patient monitoring software. Such apps improve access to care, reduce hospital readmissions, and help save up to 60% on hospital visits, which results in higher-quality treatment in the comfort of patients' homes.
And benefits don't end up here. With ongoing digitalization via IoT and modernization of the healthcare system, don't wait for the best time for remote patient monitoring software development. The best time is now.
We've detailed remote patient monitoring apps below and covered their benefits, architecture, and top examples. You'll also see how Darly Solutions crafted an app for the health tech company. Read on, and stay tuned.
RPM monitoring software—is a digital tool for wearables, mobile apps, and medical devices that collects, analyzes, and shares patient data with medical personnel. Heart rate, blood sugar, and oxygen levels are among the most vital metrics. RPM software scores help catch health issues early, manage chronic conditions, and aid post-operative recovery.
How remote patient monitoring software works
From heart rate to blood glucose, each RPM system is designed to monitor a specific aspect of the body. However, elements included in any remote patient monitoring software development are typically the same. This is how the RPM system works:
Collects and exchanges data. Once calibrated, the devices send the data from the patient to the provider. The devices must have a Wi-Fi or LTE adapter for successful transfer. The data can also be sent via Bluetooth to IoT mobile apps via RPM devices.
Centralizes storage.
The provider securely stores the data collected from various sources, including patient devices, analytics systems, and e-medicine.
Analyze. The data is processed using advanced AI for management and analytics. Alerts are sent to caregivers, providers, and patients as needed, per their preferences.
Broadcasts.
Remote monitoring systems become telemedicine platforms when integrated with communication features like video conferencing, simplifying doctor-patient interaction.
Sends emergency notifications. When doctors identify health issues requiring daily monitoring, they oversee the data collected by the RPM system. Notably, it can notify emergency services if a patient needs urgent care. For non-urgent cases, patients can receive instructions for the next steps. However, HIPAA and similar regulations may restrict including sensitive patient information in certain notifications to protect privacy.
Nevertheless, the RPM is part of the broader automation revolution; it has universal healthcare benefits overall. Let's examine the main of them:
Better access to health services
With remote patient monitoring software, medical services have no geographical boundaries. Patients can get timely medical attention at home and manage their health, fostering a greater sense of control under health conditions.
Improved patient outcomes
A study found that RPM cut hospital admissions for chronic care complications by 19% to 41%, which results in improved patient outcomes.
Cost-effective care with reduced readmissions
The average cost of hospital readmission is about $15,200, which makes the prevention of readmissions through remote patient monitoring software financially beneficial for both patients and providers. Even more, it is a well-established fact that early detection generally translates to lower healthcare costs.
Better client engagement and satisfaction
Over 94% of patients are satisfied with RPM's care. It sparks their curiosity about their health and boosts engagement. Such an increased sense of involvement often inspires commitment to treatment plans.
Early detection and timely intervention
The CDC reports that RPM can cut chronic disease complications by 40%. This highlights the need for swift intervention to reduce health risks.
Components of remote patient monitoring software
There is no one-fit RPM soft, as it differs in nature. However, each patient monitoring system generally has 3 to 5 basic components. Let’s delve into them:
Personal monitoring devices
From continuous glucose and heart rate monitors to blood pressure cuffs, digital scales, and peak flow meters.
Patient-side mobile applications
Prioritize user experience, making it easy for patients to access their health data. Additionally, they offer features like medication reminders and secure chats with healthcare providers.
Cloud database
Cloud repositories allow healthcare providers to store large patient data securely. They are scalable and accessible, adapting to growing datasets for long-term monitoring.
Hospital-side web app
These applications are part of hospital management software. They ensure compliance, enable integration, and support decision-making. Additionally, they offer reporting, notifications, and analytics to improve patient care.
Other modules
These comprise decision support systems, reporting tools, notification systems, and analytics platforms.
Essential features in remote patient monitoring solutions
Here are the essential features of a remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution:
Real-time tracking of patient vital signs
Wearable sensors, fitness trackers, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters perfectly gather and handle real-time health metrics. Then, this data is sent to healthcare providers and added to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for timely interventions and informed decisions preventing complications.
Intuitive interfaces and user-friendly features
Machines must be easy to set up, a breeze to wear, and simple to operate. Meanwhile, patients should access their data effortlessly through a smooth web or mobile app to track their progress. This connection allows seamless communication with healthcare providers, ensuring everyone's on the same page.
Accessibility features
Ultimately, create a system with all users in mind. Consider accessibility guidelines like WCAG and CVAA to pave the way for inclusive innovation. Encompass voice control for effortless data entry, navigation, and text-to-speech features to support people with dyslexia and other disabilities. Moreover, a patient-first design shines with screen reader compatibility, high-contrast modes, and a crystal-clear interface.
Personalized risk alerts and reminders
For swift and customizable alerts, the RPM system must adjust thresholds. For example, alerts can be sent when vital signs fall outside preset limits. This enables timely intervention to reduce the risk of adverse events.
Safe data transmission and storage
Patient data security is a top priority in remote patient monitoring software development. Thus, apps must comply with all regulations like HIPAA, as they protect the privacy and security of patient data and save from hefty fines.
Smooth EHR integration
EHR integration allows the automatic transfer of RPM data, giving healthcare providers access to complete patient histories for better decision-making and outcomes.
Reports and analysis of patient health data
Advanced analytics and reporting in remote patient monitoring software development provide valuable data insights for healthcare professionals (for data-driven decisions) and patients (to motivate healthier choices).
The architecture of a remote patient monitoring system
Remote health monitoring systems are designed with a multi-layered architecture. Basically, it has five core components that enable uninterrupted data flow within the system. Let’s break into the point of the whole structure:
Smart-connected sensors for health tracking
The sensor layer comprises remote monitoring devices such as EKGs, sleep trackers, smartwatches, and blood pressure monitors. Then, they transmit this data to the dedicated mobile app via Bluetooth or to the cloud via the Internet.
Patient interface
Patient-facing RPM apps collect real-time health data from connected medical devices, allowing manual entry of symptoms and medication intake. RPM apps often include data visualizations for tracking health trends and may have integrated telemedicine features, such as video conferencing for appointments, follow-ups, prescriptions, and virtual consultations.
Cloud RPM server
Cloud services form the core of RPM systems, providing secure storage, processing, and data analysis from devices and the RPM app. This engine also integrates with EHR systems to access patient health information (PHI) in FHIR format. It can identify trends, such as early signs of complications.
Medical staff dashboard
Patient data flows bidirectionally between the medical staff interface and the cloud RPM server, enabling effective management by care teams.
Data visualization module. Via charts and graphs that show trends in vital signs, medication adherence, and other data, the module gives providers a 360-degree view of the patient.
Alert management module. The system promptly alerts clinicians to critical situations and device failures in real-time.
Reporting module. The module generates custom reports on patient data, which hugely help track progress and gain insights over time.
Communication module. This module has two-way messaging, video chat, and/or telephony integration and is made for secure, remote communication between clinicians and patients.
Appointment management module.
This module handles appointment scheduling and patient-provider communication, allowing both patients and providers to request appointments.
Depending on the organization's needs, a doctor-facing RPM interface can include other modules, such as patient management, care plans, and patient education.
Admin web panel
A key part of the RPM architecture is a control dashboard. It helps with admin tasks like configuring roles, managing patients, and setting alarms.
Once you have a clear idea for your software product, find an experienced dev company to implement it. When contacting your tech partner, you don't need detailed software requirements. A high-level understanding of the functionalities is enough to get started for any custom healthcare software development services stages. Let’s break them down:
Step 1: Requirement collection and analysis
The process starts by refining your product vision. Then, define project goals based on the health conditions your RPM solution will address. Your team will then identify core functions, pick the best tech stack, and plan the app's architecture. If integration with systems like EHRs is required, your tech partner will ensure compatibility.
Step 2: Outlining security and compliance requirements
Remote patient monitoring software must follow HIPAA and FDA rules. The development team implements audit trails, encryption, secure cloud storage, and APIs for secure communication to ensure data security and privacy. They also define a testing strategy for the pre- and post-production phases.
Step 3: Prototyping and design
To create an intuitive, user-first staff interface, UX/UI teams conduct user research to define user personas and journeys. Based on this research, designers create a prototype reflecting both the initial vision and user needs, gathering feedback on the user experience. The team prioritizes a clean, engaging, and accessible design. Based on feedback, they will refine the prototype and send the final designs to the dev team.
Step 4: Development and integration
Tech experts will use best practices to develop your RPM system iteratively to meet regulatory compliance. This work may include front and backend components, patient and doctor apps, and integration of medical devices.
Step 5: Testing
When it comes to RPM development—thorough software testing is as important as the development itself. After testing, developers should prioritize IoMT device compatibility. They must also ensure smooth integration with the RPM system for the most stability.
Step 6: Ongoing improvements
After deployment, the dev team monitors and tunes the RPM system to meet business and tech needs. They provide training and support for patients and healthcare professionals.
Beyond monitoring and troubleshooting, your tech team will prepare a roadmap for software updates. This will enhance the system's features and security in the future.
RPM Software Deployment: Challenges and Practical Solutions
Let us explore the most notable challenges organizations encounter while deploying their RPM.
Regulatory compliance
RPM's compliance with HIPAA and GDPR relies on strong data security and privacy. It must meet standards like ISO 27001 and IEC 62304 for this.
What to do:
Develop a comprehensive compliance framework according to all requirements like HIPAA, GDPR, FTC (Federal Trade Commission), FDA regulations, and more.
Conduct regular audits and assessments outlining clear policies and protocols for staff.
Provide ongoing staff training to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.
Data security and privacy
Healthcare organizations handle sensitive patient data (vitals, medical history, personal details, reports, treatment plans). Unauthorized access poses the risk of data breaches and subsequent fines that could total millions of dollars.
What to do:
Use encryption techniques of RPM-collected data, telehealth appointment recordings, and other sensitive patient health data.
Implement strong authentication and role-based access.
Regular audits and security assessments.
Conduct employee and patient training.
Adopt role-based access control (RBAC)
Technology integration and compatibility
Outdated systems may lack compatibility, hindering integration and impacting data accuracy and security. Integrating EHR and clinical systems can also be difficult, affecting data sharing and patient care. Ensuring interoperability for seamless data exchange adds another layer of complexity.
What to do:
Assess current infrastructure compatibility.
Follow interoperability standards and protocols.
Adopt HL7 and FHIR standards.
Cost-benefit analysis
RPM implementation presents a cost-benefit challenge for healthcare organizations. While offering benefits like improved outcomes and enhanced care, the substantial upfront investment in hardware, software, infrastructure, licensing, staff training, regulatory compliance, and data security must be carefully weighed.
What to do:
Conduct thorough cost assessments.
Estimate ROI and potential cost savings.
Strategically allocate resources.
Data precision and accuracy
Inaccurate data transmission from RPM devices (e.g., wearables) poses a significant challenge, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and compromised treatment. Several factors can affect data accuracy, including device calibration, signal interference, network issues, and device quality.
What to do:
Choose quality sensors and wearables.
Regularly calibrate devices.
Implement quality assurance measures.
Lack of patient engagement
Some patients fear switching to modern healthcare and its tech just because they are used to in-person hospital visits. Thus, using the devices, checking vital signs, and messaging the doctor may be hard for the patients.
What to do:
Prioritize a user-friendly interface.
Craft tutorials for device usage and RPM data analytics interpretation.
Incorporate gamification elements (e.g., badges, progress tracking) to incentivize engagement.
Bridge language barriers for diverse patient populations by providing support in multiple languages.
RPM software development cost
The cost of developing Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) software varies based on complexity, features, and the development team's location. Here’s a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with RPM software development:
Basic RPM application ranges from $50K–$70K.
Standard RPM software ranges from $100K–$400K or higher, depending on the specific requirements and features.
Costs can be $500K or more for advanced solutions with complex systems and integrations.
Both building an in-house tech team and outsourcing software development come with significant costs: salaries/recruitment expenses versus hourly rates and vendor fees. Without proper research, you risk overpaying for a software solution—whether through in-house hiring costs or outsourcing fees—or settling for a product that doesn't meet your requirements.
To calculate the precise budget for your RPM software development idea—please fill out this form. We will contact you shortly.
Best RPM software
Here are some popular remote patient monitoring use cases that might inspire you for your own:
CoachCare
CoachCare was founded over a decade ago, now supports over 3,000 organizations, and serves over 150,000 patients. Boasting a remarkable RPM, it claims a success rate exceeding 95%. It advocates for RPM coverage and collaborates with groups like CMS and AMA. CoachCare's tech lets patients log vital health metrics via an app. Its simplicity boosts engagement. Experts recognize its support of the healthcare industry.
Healee
Healee is a health tech company founded in 2017, now handles over 700,000 visits per month, both onsite and virtual, and supports 5,000 physicians across 200 clinics. With EHR, e-prescription, and billing integrations, the Healee platform streamlines healthcare delivery in wellness, mental health, chronic care, and women's health.
Doctolib
Founded in Paris in 2013, Doctolib is a top healthcare booking platform. It serves over 400,000 providers and 50 million users. It handles 70 million monthly bookings in France, Germany, and Italy. It offers appointment scheduling, telemedicine, and patient messaging. These services reduce missed appointments by 60% and save doctors 1.5 hours per week on administrative tasks.
Senseonics
This company revolutionizes blood glucose monitoring. The system features a sleek, removable transmitter and a sensor expertly implanted under the skin by a healthcare pro. Connected to a mobile app, the sensor offers real-time insights, alerting patients through their smartphones or smartwatches when their glucose levels are too high. Sharing data with healthcare providers and family members becomes a breeze, ensuring optimal treatment strategies.
Currently, around 6,000 users benefit from the Eversense CGM system. By 2025, Senseonics aims to double that number.
Teladoc
Established in 2006, this Hoboken, New Jersey-based powerhouse is revolutionizing healthcare. With an extensive network of licensed professionals, HRS proudly claims the #1 spot in KLAS’ ‘Top Remote Patient Monitoring Companies’ from 2020 to 2023.
HRS offers its innovative PatientConnect platform, featuring over 90 tailored RPM plans for healthcare providers. Beyond monitoring, HRS embraces holistic care, providing behavioral health services like therapy and psychiatry, ensuring a comprehensive touch on every aspect of patient wellbeing.
Improving patient outcomes with RPM software: A case by Darly Solutions
In particular, the health tech company approached us about remote patient monitoring software development. They faced challenges with patient tech literacy, especially among the elderly. There was a risk of data overload for providers. Patient engagement was inconsistent. There was a need for system integration, like with EHRs. Plus, they had to ensure data privacy and security (HIPAA compliance).
Since the deadline was tight and there were a lot of high-precision requirements—we created a detailed plan for the project, assigned UX/UI design, web development, QA, and project management tasks, and pinpointed the tech stack.
Technology stack
We understood that choosing the right technology stack was crucial for success. After thorough consideration, we selected:
Angular: For building dynamic web applications.
HTML/CSS: For structuring and formatting the user’s interface.
Docker: To streamline deployment through containerization.
ngRx: For effective state management.
TailwindCSS: To enable rapid UI development.
NGX Pagination: For efficient handling of large datasets.
JSON: For smooth and efficient data transfer between client and server.
Our efforts paid off. We launched the product on time, meeting all design, functionality, and quality standards. Our client now has a competitive product that is well-placed to thrive in the innovative telemedicine sector.
Rising public interest, health concerns, and tech advances drive the RPM market to new heights in solutions and revenue. As we noted earlier, these technologies enable 24/7 health monitoring. They also provide remote populations with access to quality treatments.
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff should focus less on routine, manual tasks in the next few years. They should focus on saving lives and providing treatment, which RPM can support perfectly. It can greatly reduce burnout and ease stress on global healthcare systems while driving market share to higher results and stakeholder benefits.
This is a great time if you're considering developing your RPM solution.
Connect with us
At this stage, we get acquainted with your needs, outline the goals and desired results. We are always happy to take your project to the next level, and then beyond
We are a tech partner that delivers ingenious digital solutions, engineering and vertical services for industry leaders powered by vetted talents.
Successfully sent!
We have received your submission and will get back to you shortly.